McCarthy quits Ipswich, Fulham eye promotion

LONDON: Mick McCarthy quit as Ipswich boss following their 1-0 victory against Barnsley, while Fulham boosted their bid for promotion to the English Premier League with a 1-0 win over Reading.

McCarthy has resigned four games earlier than expected after a stormy evening at Portman Road.

The 59-year-old had been due to leave the English Championship outfit at the end of the season.

But instead McCarthy announced he was quitting immediately after Jonas Knudsen’s 54th-minute goal against his former club left Ipswich 12th in the table.

McCarthy was furious that fans booed when young defender Barry Cotter was substituted in the second half and that appeared to prove the final straw.

“It was a disgraceful reaction, but it’s the last time I’ll have to hear it because that’s my last game. I’m out of here,” McCarthy said at a short and terse press conference.

“It was in the best interests for me, the players and the club that I move on now. I said I would see the season out but it’s been a new experience and it’s not one I have been enjoying to be honest.

“I have continued to do my job to the best of my ability but there is something missing and I’m not comfortable with that.”

Norwegian midfielder Stefan Johansen’s 25th-minute strike at Craven Cottage lifted Fulham into the Championship’s top two.

Fulham’s latest success in their 20-match unbeaten run was added by the dismissal of Reading’s Leandro Bacuna in stoppage time.

The Cottagers are one point ahead of Cardiff, who lost their grip on the second automatic promotion berth after slumping 1-0 at fourthplaced Aston Villa. — AFP